Nick Saban speaks to reporters prior to his Saturday night induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. (Vasha Hunt|vhunt@al.com)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The hard work? The years of climbing the coaching ranks? The investment in the "process"?

At his Saturday night induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Alabama coach Nick Saban got a little sentimental about the real value in the things that are involved in success at his level.

"Tonight, all those things seem to me worthwhile," he said in his acceptance speech.

Saban also said that, in light of his induction into the Hall, he would become recommitted to the work he does.

"In the future, I'm going to be more committed in order to justify the honor you've given to me tonight," he said.

Saban became a member of the ASHOF alongside seven other new inductees. He was joined on the stage and in the organization by SEC and NFL official Ronnie Baynes, Auburn defensive tackle Forrest Blue Jr. (posthumously), Jacksonville State and NFL football player Eric Davis, North Alabama coach and administrator Bill Jones (posthumously), football coach Bill Oliver, Auburn basketball player Vickie Orr and Alabama A&M track athlete Dannette Young Stone.

Those fellow members inspired him, Saban said, and gave him a heightened sense of humility.

A plaque honoring Alabama coach Nick Saban now resides at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham. He accepted his induction into the Hall in a special banquet and ceremony Saturday night. (Vasha Hunt|vhunt@al.com)

"To be surrounded by these great men and women, and realizing the nature of their accomplishments...what an honor," he said.

Saban's speech was prefaced by a video that showed his modest upbringing in West Virginia, his collegiate playing days at Kent State, his various coaching stops and his current accomplishments at the University of Alabama. He recalled the importance of different people at those different stops, and how they affected his calling as a coach.

"As a kid, I wanted to achieve something of significance," he recalled. "Dad made me want to be a coach. My Mom, who is here tonight, taught me more than anything that people will always remember how you made them feel."

He also thanked his wife Terry, calling her the love of his life and thanking her for "supporting me in everything I've wanted to do."

His greatest regret, he said, was being unable to share the night with former Alabama athletic director Mal Moore, who passed away on March 30 of this year. "He was a partner with me in all the success we've had at Alabama," he said. "It makes me very sad that he isn't here tonight."